No more emo-bashing in Manchester

A teenage emo has become the first to report an assault to the Greater Manchester Police under a new category of hate crime against ‘subcultures’.

The 16-year-old boy was assaulted on Monday in the centre of Ashton-under-Lyne, east of Manchester.

A 14-year-old boy and a 44-year-old man from Manchester were arrested and released on police bail until 7 May pending further enquiries.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said:

“Officers will be reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses in order to investigate this attack thoroughly, as we do with all crimes. It is unfortunate that this incident happened but the fact we were able to identify this as a hate crime is very positive. Just last Thursday we announced that we will now record alternative subculture as a hate motivation. We hope this encourages victims to continue to come forward so we can take positive action against offenders.”

Greater Manchester Police are the first UK force to recognise alternative subcultures such as goths, punks and emos as a recordable motivation for hate crime.

The new category of hate crime will be recorded in the same way as hate crimes against people on the basis of disability, race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity to provide better support to victims.

I’d love to know what difference this is actually going to make. Manchester Police don’t get to make up their own laws so if this comes to court it’ll presumably be treated as any other assault? I’d also live to know where they will draw the line, coming soon hate crimes against: gingers, soft southerners, lanky gits, pretty much anyone who is different basically.

The UK has pretty well defined laws regarding hate crimes. And yeah, if you beat up some one ‘cos of the colour of their hair, accent etc. then that should be considered in court during sentencing. If anything it indicates that your are bordering on psychotic or a soiciopath.